In a high-profile legal maneuver, ABC News has reached a $15 million settlement agreement with President-elect Donald Trump over defamation claims tied to incorrect statements made by anchor George Stephanopoulos during a past interview.
ABC News Settles Defamation Lawsuit with Trump for $15 Million
ABC News Settles Defamation Lawsuit with Trump for $15 Million
ABC News pays Trump for false claims made during an interview, marking a significant legal settlement.
ABC News has confirmed a $15 million settlement with Donald Trump, concluding a defamation lawsuit filed following false comments made by renowned anchor George Stephanopoulos. The controversy stems from an interview held on March 10, 2024, in which Stephanopoulos inaccurately claimed that Trump had been found "liable for rape." This assertion was stated repeatedly during his conversation with South Carolina Republican congresswoman Nancy Mace, leading to significant backlash and legal scrutiny.
As part of the settlement, ABC will not only pay Trump the amount, which will serve as a charitable contribution to a presidential foundation or museum affiliated with Trump, but will also reimburse him $1 million in legal expenses. The network will publish a regretful statement acknowledging the misinformation provided by Stephanopoulos regarding Trump during the contentious interview.
This case adds to a series of public legal battles Trump has faced in recent months. Last year, a New York civil court ruled that Trump was liable for "sexual abuse" regarding claims made by E. Jean Carroll without establishing grounds for rape under specific legal definitions. Additional court decisions have also seen Trump ordered to pay millions in other defamation cases involving Carroll.
The repeated falsehoods stated during the March broadcast have raised questions about media integrity and responsibility, particularly in politically charged environments. The settlement and statements from ABC News aim to mitigate the fallout from this incident and illustrate a commitment to fair reporting.
While this outcome resolves one aspect of Trump's legal journey, he continues to face challenges, including ongoing lawsuits against various news outlets for allegations of deceptive conduct and defamation.
As part of the settlement, ABC will not only pay Trump the amount, which will serve as a charitable contribution to a presidential foundation or museum affiliated with Trump, but will also reimburse him $1 million in legal expenses. The network will publish a regretful statement acknowledging the misinformation provided by Stephanopoulos regarding Trump during the contentious interview.
This case adds to a series of public legal battles Trump has faced in recent months. Last year, a New York civil court ruled that Trump was liable for "sexual abuse" regarding claims made by E. Jean Carroll without establishing grounds for rape under specific legal definitions. Additional court decisions have also seen Trump ordered to pay millions in other defamation cases involving Carroll.
The repeated falsehoods stated during the March broadcast have raised questions about media integrity and responsibility, particularly in politically charged environments. The settlement and statements from ABC News aim to mitigate the fallout from this incident and illustrate a commitment to fair reporting.
While this outcome resolves one aspect of Trump's legal journey, he continues to face challenges, including ongoing lawsuits against various news outlets for allegations of deceptive conduct and defamation.
